A rain garden captures rainwater runoff from the pavement, allowing it to sink into the soil. Photo: Sarah Sutton.

The living roof provides many benefits, including habitat for birds and pollinators. Photo: John Hykes.

The Dona Spring Municipal Animal Shelter, a beautiful new facility at the north end of Berkeley's Aquatic Park, replaces a well-worn shelter built in the 1950s. Named in honor Dona Spring, a former Berkeley Councilmember and longtime advocate for animal welfare, the new shelter is highly visible from the freeway and more accessible to visitors and volunteers. The two-story building has many improved features, including state-of-the-art animal adoption rooms for dogs and cats, a medical suite for on-site spay and neutering, expanded facilities for animal health care, fenced-in play areas, indoor-outdoor kennels, and more.

LANDSCAPE HIGHLIGHTS

Rain gardens, grass pavers in the parking area and a green roof slow the flow of rainwater, allowing it to sink into the soil and recharge the aquifer rather than running off into stormdrains

The green roof also helps insulate the building and provides habitat for birds, insects and other beneficial wildlife

Shielded exterior lights reduce light pollution to the sky

Fencing covered with vines provides green screening

RESULTS

144,000 gallons of irrigation water saved annually compared to a conventional landscape